Lock protectors



Oct. 27, 1964 J, DEVINE 3,154,343

LOCK PROTECTORS Filed Feb. 27, 1963 M I I INVENTOR THOMAS J. DEYINE W bu;

United States Patent 3,154,343 LOCK PRQTEQTGRS Thomas 3. Bevine, 2540 31st Ave, Long island City 6, FLY. Filed Feb. 27, 1963, Ser. No. 261,328 1 Claim. ((31. 292-34) This invention relates to an improved door lock protector.

Locks mounted upon a door are generally provided with a spring operated slidable bolt arranged to extend from the edge of the door into a recess or socket formed in the adjacent door jamb. The strike plate functions to protect the door jamb from being damaged by the bolt as it passes across the jamb.

In the ordinary door lock, the bolt has a beveled face which operates to cause the bolt to retract automatically when the bolt is drawn across the strike plate. When the bolt passes across the socket the spring forces the bolt into the socket, thus securing the door.

In mounting doors a considerable clearance is commonly left between the edges of the door and the door jamb to provide freedom for possible expansion and swelling. This clearance is frequently increased by shrinkage of the door sash after being hung.

It has been found that latch bolts of the beveled face type such as night locks, spring locks, and the like may be readily manipulated and the door unlocked, without the use of a key, by inserting a strip of a thin flexible material such as a knife or spatula blade or a strip of celluloid which can be worked around the corner between the door jamb and the door through the clearance commonly allowed. By pushing the flexible strip against the beveled face of the bolt the bolt can be retracted and the door opened. In the event the corner formed by any molding or door stop strips is too sharp entrance can be facilitated by prying the strip away from the door jamb.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved attachment which will eifectively prevent the insertion of a flexible instrument into prying engagement with the beveled face of a latch bolt.

Another object is to provide a device which may be easily installed in connection with a wide variety of looks.

A still further object is to provide a device for preventing unauthorized entrance which may be easily installed without removing or altering the lock itself.

In the accompanying drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a strike plate with a lock protector attached thereto.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lock protector.

Referring now to the drawing and to FIG. 2 in particular.

The lock protector comprises a base plate 2, of the desired dimensions, having a cut-away portion 4 which is designed and intended to partially encompass the bolt receiving socket 6 which is located in the strike plate 8. The lock protector is provided with a guard member 14 which is integrally associated with the base plate 2. The guard member comprises a back portion (not shown) which is substantially perpendicular to the base plate and an upper portion 15 which is substantialy parallel with the base plate. The top portion and the upper portion combined to form the guard member which in combination with the base plate 2 form a U-shaped arrangement, the open end facing the direction from which intrusion is expected.

As shown the lock protector is provided with mounting tabs 16 on the forward edge which are designed and intended to fold under the strike plate thus securing the 3,154,343 i atented Oct. 27, 1964 lock protector to the strike plate. In FIG. 1 the folded tabs are shown by broken lines. It is obvious that other mounting means may be employed. For example, one large tab located in the center of the forward edge may be used. In addition any firmly setting adhesive may be employed as a mounting means. It may also be convenient to fold the entire front edge of the base plate under the strike plate as a mounting means. The mounting tabs may be designed to fit any size plate.

The guard member 14 may be formed by bending or flanging the edge of the cut-away portion 4 into the desired form. Alternatively the upper and back portions may be formed separately and then aflixed to the base plate. When the guard member is to be formed by bending the edge of the cut-away portion appropriate slits must be provided in the upper portion at the corners in order to provide formation of the guard member. These slits are shown by dotted lines 15a in FIG. 1.

The lock protector is mounted on the strike plate by removing the screws 12 and lifting the strike plate from its position. The lock protector is then placed in proper alignment and the mounting tabs or tab folded over the edge of the strike. The assembled composite is then replaced on the door jamb 10.

The lock protector may be used in conjunction with a safety lock mounted on the inside of a door. In this case the lock protector is mounted on the lock casing rather than on the bolt receiving socket which is attached to the door jamb. The mounting tabs are folded at right angles to the base plate of the lock protector and inserted between the lock casing and the inner face of the door. Mounting is facilitated by slightly loosening the screws which attach the lock casing to the door. It is necessary to loosen the screws only suflicient to allow suflicient clearance for the insertion of the mounting tabs.

When installed the lock protector described herein eifectively prevents the intrusion of a lock picking device into prying contact with the bevelled face of the lock bolt. The bolt is protected from approach from top and bottom as well as from the front.

In certain doors the guard member may consist of a flange extending around the cut out portion of the plate and projecting from the plate so as to form an angle of ninety degrees or less with the plate.

What is claimed is:

A lock protector for guarding the sliding bolt of a door latch, comprising a flexible metal base plate to be attached to a keeper plate by means of mounting tabs bent out from the base plate and extending from one longitudinal edge of said base plate, a cut-away portion on the opposite longitudinal edge adapted to partially surround the bolt receiving socket of a keeper plate, a guard member bent out from the base plate and extending upwards along the edges of the cut-away portion, the guard member comprising a back portion which is substantially perpendicular with the base plate and an upper portion which is substantially parallel with the base plate which portions combine with the base plate to provide a cavity, the open side of which faces away from the bolt receiving socket of the strike plate, said guard member having slits to permit said bending of said base plate around said cut-away portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,215,384 Kline Feb. 13, 1917 2,127,891 Starling Aug. 23, 1938 2,631,881 Trachsler Mar. 17, 1953 2,816,788 Henry Dec. 17, 1957 

